Tag / the killers

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: An Atlantic City Road Trip To See The Killers & The Best Whiskey for St. Patrick’s Day

Folks, the time has come for me to hit the road again, as you know if you follow me on Instagram. Just this year, I’ve trekked to Morocco to review the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier for Maxim.com, and I’ve also taken a jaunt upstate on a frigid weekend to visit the Wylder Windham Hotel in lovely Windham, New York. I’m keeping things a bit closer to home, but sticking right in my wheelhouse when it comes to my favorite way to travel: Hitting the road to see a powerful live show, of course!

It’s my first time on the surprisingly sunny boardwalk in Atlantic City, and as you can guess by the photo above, the show in question was one by none other than one of my favorite bands — led by a hero of mine, the ever-stylish Brandon Flowers. It’s hardly my first time seeing The Killers (I also visited Boston, Detroit and Orlando last fall in pursuit of the Vegas-born rockers!), but it’s always a welcome, incredible and jaw-dropping event — some of my favorite live shows of all-time are by The Killers, last night’s very much included.

A word to the wise: Any time The Killers play near you — especially in a throwback casino setting, as they did last night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — do your very best to make it out to that show.

You can check out more of the fun on my Instagram, but here’s another fun tidbit: It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Perhaps consider treating yourself to some of the best Irish whiskey via my latest Maxim.com guide, yes? To dress for the day and the rest of the season, consider as well stepping out with some of the best Chelsea boots from Huckberry.

And one more thing: Here’s hoping your NCAA Tournament bracket makes it through this first weekend unscathed! I’ll be keeping a close eye on the action from Atlantic City and eventually, back in Brooklyn this weekend. In the meantime: Thanks for reading, cheers to the weekend and long live The Killers! Nobody does it better. Cheers, my friends!

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by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Fall Road Trip, Seeing The Killers & the Best Fall Style Picks

Brandon Flowers of The Killers

My friends, can you believe Friday is upon us yet again? A remarkably busy season is flying by in my neck of the woods, between the likes of Glenfiddich Scotch tastings, shopping for fall style essentials and of course, a fall road trip to see The Killers. Today marks the third — yes, third — time I’ll be hitting the road to see one of my favorite bands and my hero, Brandon Flowers.

Ever-stylish, always hard-working and ambitious, and remarkably passionate and talented — the music of The Killers is surely worth the trek back to my home state of Michigan & the fine city of Detroit this weekend, in fact! It’s a concert that’s been in the works for me since summer 2021, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the big day (Saturday!).

Perhaps you recall my Esquire interview with Brandon Flowers from last year, or perhaps you’ve been following along with my travels and my concert-going and fall style shopping over on my Instagram — either way, it’ll be a banner weekend with lifelong friends seeing an all-time favorite band! That won’t be the only thing I’ll be doing in Detroit.

Naturally, I plan to visit Detroit breweries like Batch Brewing and Atwater Brewery, not to mention a stop by Detroit’s own Shinola, long one of my favorite watchmakers and lifestyle brands, period. Fittingly enough, I just wrote about the brand’s first-ever mechanical timepiece, and did so over at Maxim — talk about one of the best men’s watches, no doubt.

What’s on your weekend agenda, other than cold beer and menswear shopping, of course? Feel free to give me a follow on Twitter to check in, and keep it tuned here tomorrow for Saturday’s Style Pick of the Week. One last fall style essential for now: This rugged Buck Mason jacket could be a new fall favorite. Head here to read all about it on my blog. Cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Killers, The Best Anorak Jackets & A New Taylor Stitch Bomber

Ladies and gentlemen, brought to you by way of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada: The Killers. Hopefully, you recognize the frontman of said legendary modern band at the top of the page, of course. Fittingly, it’s another momentous Friday in my neck of the woods (just as with NYFW last week!), all because I had the lucky chance and extreme privilege to see one of my favorite bands play just a few short days ago.

That’s right: My fall is kicking off in fine, high-voltage, rollicking fashion, as I trekked South to Orlando to see the iconic Brandon Flowers & co. stop through the city on their fall tour — and it won’t be the last time I see them in the weeks ahead, either.

Of course, you can keep up with all the fun on my Instagram, but it’s bigger than that: I’ve long admired Brandon Flowers (and The Killers) for their sense of style, certainly, along with a deep drive and sense of ambition, passion, work ethic and showmanship. In fact, lest we forget, I had the chance to interview Mr. Flowers himself for Esquire.com last year — it’s still a highlight of my work as a freelance writer. I could go on, but for now, I’m still thinking of that stellar show — and looking forward to a standout weekend in Orlando with family! Again, you can keep up with all the fun on my Instagram. Cheers & let’s start this weekend in style, shall we?

Best men's bomber jacket for fall
  • Today’s first style highlight of the week is a fitting one, seeing as we were just talking about a lead singer with a penchant for stylish outerwear. Now, I don’t know whether Mr. Flowers is a fan of San Francisco menswear purveyors Taylor Stitch, but if you are, then you’re in luck: I just wrote about one of the best new bomber jackets on the blog yesterday. Happy shopping, my friends.
  • Speaking of stylish outerwear once more, here’s another suggestion to outfit you for fall adventures. Layer up to hit the trail or head to your cabin — or an upstate getaway — wearing one of the best anorak jackets. Helpfully, I dove into the best options for the season over at AskMen. Let’s get right to it, folks.
  • Here’s one more style pick to add to your wish list today. The art of fine watchmaking is something I’ve continued to learn about over the years, especially writing for Maxim.com, which is why it was such a pleasure to cover the newest Longines luxury timepiece earlier this week. Add it to your wish list, folks.

That’ll wrap things up today here on the blog, as I’ve got some Orlando exploration on the docket (and a theme park visit or two lined up!). As always, thanks for reading — now, do me a favor and go listen to The Killers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Governors Ball NYC, The Best Fall Beers & The Killers

Filson Field Flannel Shirt in Dark Moss - Thursday Boot Company

Who else out there is surprised by the fact that we already hit the first day of fall this week? To me, that means several things, like the prime opportunity to pop open one of the best fall beers (more on that in a second), to go along with the chance to layer up with one of the best men’s flannel shirts for the season, like the rugged and ready-for-anything Filson Field Flannel Shirt shown above. It’s not quite cold enough just yet in NYC for that shirt, but it’s never too early to start preparing for what lies ahead (I.E. Day hikes, beer garden brews and much more).

Shop rugged gear at Filson

As to my own plans this weekend, there’s a little bit of everything going on, including some shopping for fall style essentials. And beyond that, well, like I said, there’s a bit of everything. It’s hard to believe, but it’s the long-awaited and incredibly exciting return of New York City’s best music festival, the much-hyped and much-loved Governors Ball! It’s being held this year for the first time at Citi Field, with a unique in-the-round stage set-up designed to utilize space and provide maximum sound quality. But it’s notable to me for another reason: It’ll be my first time attending and covering the festival with a press pass in hand! If you keep up with me on my music & menswear Twitter, you know that I contribute to sites like Merry-Go-Round Magazine and The Line of Best Fit, and I’ve also started contributing to excellent indie music site Atwood Magazine! It’s for Atwood that I’m attending the festival, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to safely attend this standout festival to cover bands like Future Islands, a personal favorite. In the meantime, I’ll be wrapping up some writing and planning for the season ahead. To plan out your fall shopping (and possibly provide some inspiration to visit your favorite beer garden??), here’s the rest of today’s Friday Read below. Cheers!

AleSmith Oktoberfest
  • Anyone else feeling thirsty? The time has never been better to stock your beer fridge with some of the best fall beers, which run the gamut from classic Oktoberfest styles to rich double IPAs and many more. To get you started, check out my guide to the best beers for fall at Maxim. Again, cheers!
  • I mentioned legendary heritage outfitter Filson at the start of today’s post, and if you ask me, there’s never a bad time to double-down and focus once more on an iconic brand for fall and beyond. Just yesterday in fact, I wrote all about one of the best fall jackets for men here on the blog. Check out that post, and then let me know in the comments below what you think of the tough-as-nails Filson 3-Layer Field Jacket. Happy shopping!
Add Filson to your fall wardrobe
  • If the headline had you wondering when a certain band from Las Vegas might come up in today’s post, well, here we are. I had the really incredible and exceedingly rare opportunity to catch two shows in two nights by one of my all-time favorite bands, The Killers. I wrote in my twice-weekly newsletter about trekking down to Pennsylvania (first to Bethlehem, and then over to Philadelphia) to see this lifetime band play two shows prior to a headlining appearance at Firefly Festival in Delaware, and I’m so glad I took advantage of the chance to make my own schedule, hit the road and see them. Again, head to my music + menswear newsletter to get the full scoop.

Those three quick hits above should carry you into the weekend quite nicely, right? That’s my hope at least, from the music of The Killers to the chance to stock your beer fridge with some excellent seasonal brews. Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram to catch all of the action at Governors Ball, but before you do that, I’ll leave you with one last shopping and style pick. A retro cardigan, like this Bonobos cardigan that I wrote about on the blog earlier this week, is truly unstoppable for autumn layering. One final time, enjoy the weekend and let’s keep it rolling! 

by Beau H.

Wonderful, Wonderful: Trekking to Philadelphia to see The Killers

Layered up to catch The Killers in Philly. My Taylor Stitch Albion Jacket and Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans were perfectly casual, rugged pieces for the occasion, along with a Philadelphia-centric United By Blue Bison Cap!


As I sit here to write this post, I’m reflecting on an amazing, music-filled weekend … and I’m listening, of course, to one of my favorite bands of all-time … that’d be The Killers, my friends. Led by frontman Brandon Flowers and his ever-changing bevy of stylish tailoring and outerwear, they’ve been a band I’ve looked up to for years, all the way since my days as a middle school and high school student back in Michigan. I’ve taken the chance to see them as often as I possibly can, from Governors Ball 2016 to last year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago, and I even took two trains and a ferry to see them play in New Jersey last summer. All those evenings have been, simply, the best shows I’ve ever seen! So when this tremendous band announced a new album — the aptly titled “Wonderful Wonderful” — and a tour that brought them up and down the East Coast, I knew I had to hop on board and catch them as many times as possible. That meant an absolutely stellar Tuesday show in Brooklyn, a standout Friday night affair at Madison Square Garden, and of course … a trip down to Philadelphia for one heck of a Saturday night show! There’s nothing I love more than traveling for a bit of live music, so I brought my favorite #menswear with me. I even hit up some new spots in Philly — join me, and turn up your favorite song by The Killers … starting now. It was a busy weekend in the city given the NFL playoffs, which only added to the electric atmosphere. 

The right gear for rocking out and rocking through a day at the office.

The weekend’s fun really started in earnest on Friday, as I dressed for both a day at the office and a Friday night at Madison Square Garden. It’s a lifetime venue for me, and I’ve already been fortunate enough to see some lifetime shows there — including the immortal AC/DC back in September 2016. Following my Tuesday night show at the Barclays Center, with general admission standing tickets in hand no less, I was absolutely just as excited for this extraordinary band to hit the stage on Friday night. To stay warm on a chilly New York day, I bundled up from the ground up, starting with my rugged, durable Allen Edmonds Caen Cap Toe Boots.  With stellar construction and a silhouette that’s surprisingly refined, these boots will work for you at the office or a concert in equal measure. And they teamed up quite well with a pair of slim Mott and Bow jeans, a classic men’s denim option that’s also office-friendly.  On my top half, I stayed warm with my Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt in Indigo Star — always a favorite men’s style essential. I supplemented that with the toasty, sports-inspired Life/After/Denim Collegiate Cardigan, as classic of a rugged winter cardigan as you’re apt to find. It all made for versatile, laidback gear that — when teamed with my Taylor Stitch Maritime Submariner Jacket — got me to and from the show in fine style. On my wrist, my Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch kept me on time more than effectively. Of course, it was crucial that I show up early and get ready to rock. When you find yourself heading to the office, followed by a rock concert, reach for casual, rugged layers and tough-yet-tailored boots.

And as to the offering on tap? Simply one of the most hit-packed sets you’re apt to find, filled with soaring, beautiful songs, from “Read My Mind” to “A Dustland Fairytale” and the driving power of “For Reasons Unknown,” plus fan favorites like the dance-ready “Human” and the electric “Spaceman.” New hits like “The Man” set the tone for this band early on, too; Brandon Flowers hardly even misses a note! It makes for an emotional, simply incredible evening … and that’s even before the band closes with “When You Were Young” and the iconic “Mr. Brightside,” a song that launched my interest in modern rock music to this day. To stand in a crowd and experience that with thousands of other fans is simply … awe-inspiring. There’s nothing like it, and that’s absolutely why I had to hit the road for round two on Saturday morning!

The right gear for braving the cold, from sturdy CAT Footwear boots to a tough Grayers waxed canvas jacket and a classic elbow-patch shirt from Todd Snyder.

For an early morning train ride down to Philly, I dressed in suitably layered cold-weather style, from a classic Flint and Tinder marled henley to my reliable, warm Todd Snyder Hemingway Elbow Patch Shirt, a personal winter style essential. I capped off that combo with the tough, sharp Grayers Edgeware Coated Cotton Moto Jacket, a slim-fitting, cold weather-ready jacket that I also took with me on a December trip to Toronto to see The National (yep, those guys again). I found the combo worked well for mobile travel style, especially when matched up with a trusty black pair of the Abercrombie & Fitch Langdon Denim, perhaps my favorite pair of jeans at the moment (and equally fitting given Mr. Flowers’ penchant for sporting black jeans or trousers himself). I had to make sure my accessories were both durable and stylish, too — enter a pair of rough-and-tumble CAT Footwear boots (the Abe Canvas is shown above), plus the WP Standard Officer’s Belt in Natural, a handsome belt that’s only gotten better with age. I finished off the combo with my equally durable Timex x Form-Function-Form Horween Leather Weekender,  a crisp-yet-casual watch that kept me on time from the second I arrived in chilly Philadelphia.

Holiday 2017

I’d been to the city only very briefly for my June trip to see The Killers, so I knew there was more that I wanted to explore on foot — powered by coffee from Rival Bros. Coffee, of course. I can never turn down an Americano or a cappuccino, and I was more than ready to power through more of the city. I knew I had to stop at the flagship outpost of one of my favorite brands at the moment — that would be United By Blue (makers of the Holt Work Shirt, as you might have seen in this site’s Style Pick of the Week series). The brand focuses on sustainable style done right, removing trash from our oceans and waterways with each purchase — that sustainable, stylish and craftsmanship-friendly approach is reflected in the brand’s neatly appointed store and coffee shop, perfect for kicking back and relaxing a bit on a chilly winter Saturday. 

My Timex x Red Wing Heritage Waterbury Chrono, always a favorite of mine, was a nice accessory for the day alongside the General Washington Tavern Porter from Yards.


If you know me,  I’m never one to turn down a great brew … right? The chance to check out Philadelphia’s own, much-acclaimed Yards Brewing was one I simply couldn’t pass up. The brewery’s Tavern Porter is not to be missed, nor is the Cape of Good Hope IPA — cheers! And before the show, I knew from my last trip that I had to stop by Cinder, which poured a terrific mix of standout craft beer and cocktails alongside rich, warming dishes like hangar steak and fish & chips. All of which is to say … I was more than prepared and well-fed to see The Killers play yet a third stellar show in one week!

Holiday 2017

There are arguments to be made for seeing a band just once, and there are arguments to be made for seeing a stellar, nearly life-changing band as many times as possible — at least, that’s my philosophy. It’s one that I think makes sense when you consider a generation-defining band like The Killers, who’ve certainly changed my life for the better … it made the show all the more meaningful, even if I did guess (correctly!) that they’d open with new hit single “Wonderful Wonderful” once again. I enjoyed my time at the Wells Fargo Center immensely, and I left grinning ear-to-ear. Covers of both “Romeo and Juliet” and “Shadowplay,” both live fan favorites, went over very well, to say the least. And an encore featuring “Andy, You’re a Star” was a welcome treat, too! Even after three shows in a short span of time, it’ll never get old hearing some of my all-time favorite songs sung by one of my all-time favorite performers. In short, if you get the chance to go see The Killers on this particular tour, or heck … ANY tour … please, take it! It was certainly worth the trip to Philly, and I tried to make the most of my time in the city on Sunday before heading back to NYC.

Holiday 2017

To kick off my day the right way before heading back to NYC, I’d heard great things about Old City Coffee, a charming space in near historic landmarks like the Betsy Ross House. It was a treat to visit, and made for a nice start to the day.  It’s a good thing that I was bundled up to check out more of Philly, as Sunday proved a chilly one in the City of Brotherly Love. My classic Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans were both comfortable and casual, a nice pairing with my remarkably warm and toasty Taylor Stitch Albion Jacket, which I threw on over a rugged winter henley from J. Crew. In keeping with the casual theme of the day, my Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers were sporty, easy to wear and suitably low-key enough for the rest of my outfit, as was my Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch; as I always say, never skimp on accessories, your wrist game included.  With my train incoming, I grabbed my Saddleback Leather Rounded Leather Duffel and looked forward to a ride north to NYC — The Killers played in my headphones all the while, of course.

As I’ve said before, there’s nothing to compare to an amazing, extraordinary night — or two nights, or three nights — seeing your favorite band. I felt that remarkable feeling three different times this week, and each show was special in its own way. As long as bands like The Killers keep stepping up to the plate and delivery incredible experiences, I’ll keep hopping on trains — and maybe even planes! — to go see them. Have questions on what to wear to your next rock concert? Feel free to hit me up on Twitter.  Thanks for reading, and thanks for being here as we start 2018 off the right way!

-Beau

Holiday 2017

by Beau H.

Plugged In: A Chicago Weekend at Lollapalooza 2017

Lollapalooza 2017

Taking in Lollapalooza with my MVMT Watches Aviators, plus my rock-ready Need Supply Co. denim jacket and slim Abercrombie and Fitch denim — finished off with classic Astorflex suede chukkas.

It was under special circumstances that I hopped on an unusual Thursday night plane ride out of NYC to head to Chicago — and no, I didn’t take a wrong turn after happy hour. I hit the road last weekend to head to Lollapalooza 2017 in the Windy City — a truly momentous weekend packed full of highlights, from great #menswear to an amazing Friday headlining set by The Killers (a band I’d seen back in June) and more excellent tunes than you could take in across just two days. It was my second festival in as many weekends after attending the Panorama music festival here in NYC — with Governors Ball 2017 also under my belt this summer, you night say I’ve got it down to a science when it comes to what to wear to a music festival. What exactly did I pack and who did I see? Join me on another men’s travel style post — it should come as no surprise it was an amazing weekend that seamlessly blended my two big passions! Put on your favorite Killers track, and let’s rock.

I packed up my Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender with trusty essentials, from my Astorflex suede chukka boots to my Huckberry Explorer’s Cap.

The adventure itself really began on Thursday night, as I packed up my stylish weekender bag — namely, the Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender — with menswear essentials galore. To head from a full day at the office to the airport, I dressed in a mixture of comfort and style, starting with a new pair of Abercrombie and Fitch denim from the brand’s recently revamped line. The mobility, tailored fit and pleasingly faded wash matched nicely with one of my favorite Taylor Stitch shirts, the Sashiko Shirt — the cool detailing and texture makes it a four-season essential, and it’s yet another example of what Taylor Stitch does well. The combo was finished off with even more comfort in the form of my travel-ready Astorflex suede chukkas. There might not be a more versatile pair of three-season shoes than these classic suede chukkas, which can go from the office to the plane easily.

A stylish casual watch from Nautica and my reliable Huckberry Explorer’s Cap rounded out my travel style essentials. And the next time you hit the road, don’t forget to pack men’s grooming essentials — a few pieces from the Oars + Alps Athlete’s Grooming Kit (as seen on this site’s Style Pick of the Week series) helped me keep my skin in top form. What’s more, I even managed to prep for the festival on the music front — I plugged in my surprisingly stylish LSTN Sound Co. headphones from the essential Bespoke Post Vibes Box, and I was ready to go. The bottom line is this: When dealing with a day at work and an evening of travel, dress for comfort, style and mobility (like I did!).

Lollapalooza 2017

Easygoing essentials for a day of music and a day in the sun — particularly a fan of my classic SeaVees Army Issue Sneakers, and they teamed nicely with my tough, versatile Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch.

My Thursday night arrival had me tired but wired (tired and wired?) going into an amazing, bright and sunny Friday full of live music. To take on Chicago’s heat, I kept things simple and stylish with a slim short-sleeve shirt from Old Navy, plus my laidback and comfortable Bridge and Burn Stringer Dune Shorts — two warm-weather style essentials fit for any trip.  And just as with Panorma, I found my SeaVees sneakers to be effective, comfortable and broken-in enough to fill that crucial music festival style void. And that blend of style comfort from my SeaVees sneakers proved quite effective for bouncing around Lollapalooza’s many, many stages. That meant staying on time was quite critical — as I’ve found on many a music-themed trip, my Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch on a cotton NATO strap (similar style here) was a durable and stylish pick. I topped it all off with stylish men’s sunglasses — namely, a new favorite pair of sunglasses from Component out of Miami. And what exactly did the day have in store? Plenty — to say the least.

There aren’t many festivals where you’ve got the chance to see everyone from Brooklyn indie rockers Slothrust to classic modern indie pop duo Tegan and Sara to upstart British singer Bishop Briggs within a matter of hours, but Lollapalooza absolutely delivered in that regard — I  can’t say enough about the experience. A vibe-filled, sharp set from Phantogram paved the way for an exciting, anticipation-filled evening — a long-awaited show by The Killers tends to heighten the excitement of a music festival even moreso. Having just seen this remarkable band back in June, I thought I was ready — yet nothing can really compare to the power, energy and joy brought to the stage by Mr. Brandon Flowers and company. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There’s really nothing that can measure up to seeing songs you’ve known for half your life being played out in person. When delivered by one of my heroes, Brandon Flowers, it was all the more special. (Editor’s note: Mr. Flowers inspired my love for denim jackets and black moto jackets, surely). 

From classic cuts like “Mr. Brightside,” “Read My Mind” and the roaring “For Reasons Unknown” to all-new cuts “The Man” and fan favorites like “When You Were Young,” this is a band that delivers on nearly everything that a fan could ask for. That included a soaring cover of fellow rockers Muse, plus a menacing (and yet wonderful) cover of the Joy Division classic “Shadowplay.” This is, simply put, an incredible band. I mean that sincerely, and it’s nothing short of an absolute joy to witness live. And as it were, I positively can’t wait for The Killers North American tour behind the band’s forthcoming new album, “Wonderful Wonderful” — what a run that should be. It was worth the trip in and of itself, and that’s no joke. Incredibly, I wasn’t quite fully tired out from Friday night — and Saturday promised even more tunes and even more #menswear.

Crisp and effective, rock-n-roll style featuring slim Abercrombie and Fitch Langdon denim and my classic Astorflex suede chukkas.

Although Saturday dawned hot and sunny once again, I went with sharp and simple style — perhaps inspired in part by the style of Brandon Flowers, who frequently favors all-black get-ups. For me, that meant injecting some color and texture on the footwear front with my Astorflex suede chukkas and topping it off with another pair of slim Abercrombie and Fitch Langdon denim in a slightly faded black wash. Perfect for a festival — particularly when teamed with my Knickerbocker Mfg. Co. Pocke Tube Tee. For taking on the day and seeing the vibe-filled, standout rock of The xx later, an all-black uniform certainly felt right — my trusty Timex for J. Crew field watch helped add some texture and visual interest to the look, too.  Once again, I just had to get ready for the day with the stylish and high-quality LSTN Sound Co. headphones from my Bespoke Post Vibes Box.

Saturday itself brought out a terrific mix of live acts, too. Canadian rockers Alvvays — a band that’s been on my list for more than two years now — brought a shimmery, sunny mix of indie rock to the Bud Light Stage in the afternoon. Later in the evening, personal favorites The Head and the Heart delivered just as rousing a performance as they did at Govenors Ball 2017 and on a winter road trip I took to Baltimore to see them play.  And throughout the day, Lollapalooza delivered just as solid of a mix of artists as one might expect — from L.A. rockers Warpaint to the joyous dance grooves of pop duo Sylvan Esso and the unique rhythm and quirky vibes of British rockers alt-J (another favorite of mine). The experience and atmosphere was truly jam-packed and lively — it was as busy a two days as I’ve had at a music festival, particularly navigating multiple stages and trying to stay on time. Again, dressing for a music festival in style proved absolutely critical, and I hope my gear was up to the test. As it were, my all-black get-up fit right in during a powerful, transcendent Saturday night headlining set by British rockers The xx —  another personal favorite and another band that made the entire trip worth it.

 

Travel-ready gear for the flight back — my Need Supply Co. denim jacket and my new Bridge and Burn Basic Tee got the job done on my top half, while my Kit Culture stretch twill pants were suitably travel-ready.

All too soon, it was time to hit the road back to Chicago — my schedule precluded me from staying another day to take in the powerful rock and spectacular live show that is Arcade Fire, but I left Chicago with nothing but happy memories from an incredible weekend of amazing music. And with a stylish weekender bag and men’s grooming essentials from Oars + Alps in tow, I made sure to dress for the road accordingly. I started out once again with my versatile Astorflex suede chukkas  — they’re as comfortable and sustainable a pair of classic chukka boots as you’ll find. They were a sharp complement to my Kit Culture stretch twill pants, a tailored set of chinos that feels like an easy-to-wear pair of sweatpants. When topped off with my Need Supply Co. Denim Jacket in 96 — a retro-inspired, versatile denim jacket — I was more than ready to deal with blasting airport air conditioning. Between the light wash and the quality construction, the denim jacket was a cool topper to a new Bridge and Burn Basic Tee — think an ultra-soft blended T-shirt built with made-in-America craftsmanship. The next time you hit the road, reach for breezy basics, a well-made denim jacket and go-anywhere pieces like suede chukkas. 

With all that travel in the books, I was glad to make it home last night — and it was all the better to get back to Brooklyn knowing I’d had such an amazing, fulfilling trip. Hopping on a flight to a music festival can feel like a long journey at times, but the trip was more than worth it — heck, seeing some of my heroes on the stage on Friday night made the trip in and of itself. I’m also lucky I was able to pack up just the right gear for the weekend — if I can continue to make the trip in years to come, I’ll be looking at a longer trek than just a subway ride … and I know it’ll certainly pay off.

Did you manage to make the trek to Lollapalooza? What did you bring along with you? 

Lastly — thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Lollapalooza 2017, Music Festival Style and The Best New Oxford Shirt

Plugged in and ready to go for another round of The Friday Read? Let’s jump right into it. It’s already been a busy season of live shows and festival-hopping for yours truly — including a terrific weekend at Governors Ball 2017 and an incredible two-day stint at Panorama 2017, but this weekend presents a different kind of challenge when it comes to music festival style. More specifically, today finds me in the amazing city of Chicago for yet another weekend of stellar live music — that is, Lollapalooza 2017! You can expect a full men’s travel style recap coming on Monday, and feel free to check out my adventures on Instagram and Twitter in the meantime.

I’ve certainly brought along a lot of #menswear classics for the occasion, from a bevy of stylish T-shirts to my favorite summer shorts, classic summer sneakers and of course, trusty gear to wear to a rock concert. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here to see more excellent acts than I count — a list that’s topped, of course, by The Killers. I had the privilege of trekking to see The Killers in New Jersey earlier this summer, and the powerful, energetic show put on by this terrific band was more than enough to convince me to see them again. Who else is on my list? Namely, everyone from Brooklyn indie punk rockers Slothrust to the chill vibes of The xx and Alt-j. More importantly, it’s my first-ever trip to Lollapalooza — it’s a festival that’s been on my list for ages, so it’ll be an absolute thrill to check it out later today. For now, I’ve got some tunes to turn up — enjoy the weekend and stay tuned for more on Instagram and right here at The Style Guide on Monday!

AVI-8

  • In a very, very exciting development, the great team at Gear Patrol recently held its first-ever Gear Patrol Beer Week, an in-depth and wide-ranging dig into America’s burgeoning, tasty craft beer industry. Believe me, I’m a big fan of this content. I’m fortunate enough to live in Brooklyn, surrounded by standout breweries like Other Half and great beer bars like Torst — so this one hits home for me! I’m looking forward to going back and poring over some of these features — cold one in hand, more likely than not. Cheers!

  • From stylish men’s home goods right down to the gear in your everyday carry, the little things matter — this we know to be true. And that’s even the case when it comes to the best audio gear. With that in mind, I rounded up some standout audio gear to make your next BBQ the best yet over at The Menlo House. Seriously, get your groove on and flip some burgers.
  • This launch hit a few weeks ago, and I’d hope you were privy to it. But if not, know that Mott and Bow launched new Oxford shirts that look great, fit well and feature high-quality fabric that can stand up to all kinds of  wear and tear this summer. Certainly, it might just be the best men’s Oxford shirt you’ll buy this summer. As it were, was fortunate to cover the launch for The Manual, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of these shirts on my Instagram and on this blog — to say the least.

  • So, we talked beer … now let’s talk about another finely crafted beverage, coffee. And crucially, let’s talk about Bizzy Coffee Shots — perfect for folks on the go, Bizzy Coffee Shots quite literally take everyone’s favorite drink and distill it into a tasty, mobile shot. I covered this neat product for GearMoose and had a blast doing it. Bottoms up!

OK, I’m clocking out for the week — I hope y’all have a great Friday! Keep up with me on Instagram and Twitter in the meantime.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Shinola, Pitti Uomo and New Music by The Killers

This week, I’ve found myself looking back — and looking forward — quite a bit.  I’ve been looking back on an incredible mini-trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey to see The Killers about two weeks ago now, and I’ve also been looking back on a great family wedding weekend in Charleston. Both trips brought amazing memories, a dash of excellent #menswear and hearty helpings of craft beer (and in the case of my Jersey trip, stunning live tunes!).

I’m also looking forward to a few other momentous events coming up, including a holiday weekend in NYC surrounding the Fourth of July, plus an exciting month of live music (including a mid-July show by one of my all-time favorite bands, The Naked and Famous!). In the meantime, you can be sure we’ll be talking plenty of men’s style news on the site, from American-made denim to the best shorts to buy for summer and the best new men’s gear to buy now— and plenty more! If that’s of interest, I’d say you should definitely stick around. Before we get to that though, we’ve got a laidback weekend in the Big Apple coming up, and a full rundown of the week in #menswear to kick it off — per usual, as it were! Follow me on Instagram to keep up with the latest, and have a drink on me tonight.

Beckett Simonon

Two distinctly different shoe options available for pre-order from an excellent retailer.

  • Let’s talk summer wedding style as mentioned above — what’s your dress shoe situation like? If you’ve got some time to plan ahead, the fine folks of Beckett Simonon can surely sort you out, and quite handsomely. The company’s well-done pre-ordering process — one that updates you every step of the way via E-mail, from production to shipping — is definitely quite neat. Of course, you might know Beckett Simonon from a Style Pick of the Week entry on the terrific Cole Bomber Jacket on this site, but the brand is so much more.  Perhaps you’re familiar with the insanely cool-looking Morgen Trainer as seen above? And from the handsome Dean Oxford in Brown Leather to a sharp and useful collection of three Italian leather belts, the company’s fine craft is evident throughout the entire process. Again, if you’ve got some time to plan ahead, pre-order one (or several?) pairs of the brand’s stylish men’s dress shoes and be prepared to take that late summer wedding by storm.
  • In retail news, one of my favorite purveyors of stylish leather watches, Shinola, just opened what should be an incredible, well-appointed retail space in chic SoHo here in NYC. Swing by if you’re in the Big Apple — you can find this shop in addition to the new Shinola Brooklyn shop and the brand’s handsome flagship in Tribeca. Happy shopping! be
  • We’re at it again — the three-ring circus that is the traveling band of menswear shows (kidding, kidding) is starting up again, this time at the world’s largest menswear fair, Pitti Uomo. As always, it’s brought out its fair share of well-dressed guys and … overly dressed guys. See the best-dressed guys at Pitt Uomo here.
  • Among other menswear developments, I’m particularly excited about a new series launched recently on the blog — it’s called The List, and it’s a rundown of great gear and essentially, the best menswear to buy now. Our first List included a plethora of great picks, from stylish Chelsea boots to a handsome leather watch and summer drinking essentials from my good pals at Bespoke Post. I’m very much looking forward to continuing the series, and I hope you’re looking forward to reading it.
  • Let’s start to wrap things up with some music — agreed? The Killers — a stunning, soul-stirring and ridiculously excellent live band  — released their new single, “The Man” late last week. It was fitting coming off of my weekend trip to New Jersey to see them play! Have you heard it yet? It’s a groovy, heavy, funky track that might fit in more readily with Mr. Brandon Flowers’ solo work … and yet, it’s got me as excited as ever to hear their new album, “Wonderful, Wonderful.”
  • Now, I’m moreso a proponent of stylish summer sneakers, but that didn’t stop me from writing about the best sandals for men over at one of my favorite style sites, GearMoose — they’re definitely a summer style essential if you’re on the beach or the boardwalk. Shop on!
    Greats
    In short order, that’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read — are you ready for the weekend yet? I’m ready to kick back, relax and enjoy a nice, cold beer (or an iced coffee). Catch me tomorrow for our regularly scheduled Style Pick of the Week, and we’ll see you around!
    -Beau
    Timex
by Beau H.

Read My Mind: Trekking to New Jersey to see The Killers

Exploring Philly’s Rittenhouse Square casual rock style with my Florsheim Forward Lo Lace-ups, slim Mott and Bow denim and my Bridge and Burn Outsiders Tee. I finished off the ensemble with the rugged Timex Waterbury Chronograph Diver & my Component gunmetal sunglasses. Rock on!

This past Sunday was a pretty special one — to say the least. And for once, I’m definitely not talking about how I dressed for Sunday brunch. It was an early, bright and sunny weekend day as I trekked out of NYC — first to Philadelphia, then to nearby Camden (that’s New Jersey) — for the Radio 104.5 Birthday Celebration , headlined by none other than … The Killers. As we all know, we here at The Style Guide can never pass up a brilliant show — and by we, I mean me. Why the quick trip and the multi-state trek? The headlining act says it all — but the one-day mini-festival, much like Governors Ball 2017, was packed with a plethora of other worthwhile, fun and enjoyable acts (from Foster the People to Bleachers). Of course, prime music festival style was in order. Undeniably though, the main attraction was one of the most extraordinary bands of this generation, The Killers. Having seen them at Governors Ball 2016, I thought I was ready for it — does anything really prepare you to hear songs you’ve loved for half your life, though? For the occasion,  I certainly had to take along a few choice #menswear pieces — and my air guitar (… and my air drums). Of course, that journey was preceded by a stylish weekend in Brooklyn, too. So, strike up the band, cue up “A Dustland Fairytale” and let’s hit the road.

Easy-to-wear slip-ons from Blu Kicks, teamed up with my tough Graf Lantz Traveller Bag, the unique Electric California sunglasses, a USA-made Simon Versus tee and headphones from my Bespoke Post Vibes Box.

To prep for my trip while staying productive, I trekked to a favorite Brooklyn haunt on Saturday — the rugged, well-appointed and tranquil Upstate Stock in Williamsburg. From breezy days off to sunny Sunday afternoons to a Fourth of July weekend visit last summer, I can never resist the excellent iced coffee, handsomely designed menswear and crisp home goods on display at one of my favorite shops in the city. For an afternoon 0f blogging — and a mix of comfort and laidback style — I teamed the USA-made Simon Versus Rotterdam T-Shirt  with my stretchy, athleisure-inspired Influencer Stretch Twill Pants from Kit Culture. Seeing as I also took the chinos on a February trip to New Haven to see Young the Giant, it was fitting that I broke them out this weekend. When rolled up, I was able to easily slip on my new, neatly designed Blu Kicks Cali Bear Slip-ons — they personify laidback cool and West Coast vibes, something that can be hard to channel in NYC from time to time. I matched up the ensemble with my equally laidback Electric California Leadbelly Sunglasses, a perfect (and California-centric) complement to the look. As always, my LSTN. Sound Co. Fillmore Headphones from the terrific Bespoke Post Vibes Box helped me prep for Sunday’s festival with both style and excellent audio quality.

Sunday brought with it an early train ride out of the city (and a much-needed stop for a delicious pick-me-up at Rival Bros. Coffee in Philadelphia) before venturing across the Delaware River to the BB&T Pavilion. To haul my everyday carry, I toted along my Graf Lantz Traveller Bag and Owen and Fred Flight Brief for the occasion — per usual, both proved sturdy and sleek. For comfort and style, it was tough to beat my Florsheim Forward Lo Lace-ups. They combined the slick look of a dress shoe with the comfort of sneaker — they were versatile and comfortable for  getting to the train, getting to Philly and jamming out to the extraordinary rock of The Killers! And my well-made Bridge and Burn Outsider Tee combined comfortable fabric with the simplicity of a classic black tee — ideal for a rock show. That one-two punch was nicely accented by slim Mott and Bow denim — always a favorite.  And sharp Component gunmetal sunglasses added a bit of flair to the look, while my rough-and-tumble Timex Waterbury Chronograph Diver stood up to a busy Sunday of great music. For your next mini-festival, bring along similar essentials — a classic black tee, slim denim and leather sneakers are all great places to start. 
Sutro Shoes Inc.

A crisp black tee, classic leather sneakers and slim denim, plus my Tanner Goods Natural Billfold, Bespoke Post Vibes Box headphones  & sharp Component gunmetal sunglasses — all essential for a great day of music.

With a bustling day of live music ahead of me, I hopped across the river in anticipation of a stellar day of live music at the neatly designed BB&T Pavilion. It was a day of firsts — my first time seeing the energetic pop of Foster the People — and “seconds,” as it were (my second time in about a week seeing the ’80s-inflected rock of Bleachers). And with the sun high in the sky and a buzzing crowd building, fun acts like ARIZONA — recent NYC openers for indie pop phenom COIN — got the crowd moving and on their feet. That’s where my Florsheim Forward Lo Lace-ups came in handy, of course. With two festivals under my belt in about a week — including the incredible Governors Ball in NYC — I felt more than prepped for a mind-blowing set from The Killers. Boy, did they deliver.

It felt like a long build-up toward the highlight of the day, for sure. With a prime spot in the third row (a very lucky, unexpected and timely ticket grab), I felt almost too close to this remarkable band, their remarkable energy and the unmatched showmanship & stellar voice of Mr. Brandon Flowers (a true hero of mine — and quite the stylish fella, if we’re keeping score).

Once that band gets on a roll — essentially, right from the instantly recognizable opening notes of “Mr. Brightside” — they simply can’t be stopped. It’s nothing short of pure joy to hear them power through hits and crowd favorites, song after song after son. They’ve got a TON of ’em, from the joyous dance rock groove of “Spaceman” to the driving surge of “For Reasons Unknown,” the Springsteen-esque flair of “Runaways,” the powerful “Read My Mind,” the poignancy of “A Dustland Fairytale,” the sharp groove of “Somebody Told Me”  — and that barely scratches the surface. “Smile Like You Mean It” brought the crowd to its feet, and “All These Things That I’ve Done” drew a wildly enthusiastic response  — at least, from what I could see through my tears of sheer joy! Sunday night also saw the debut of a new track, the Springsteen-inflected “Run For Cover,” a thrilling, driving song the band originally wrote for 2008’s “Day and Age.” It’s a hit in the making, trust me.

I simply can’t say enough about this remarkable band — they’re truly a must-see, and a generational wonder at that. I didn’t want the night to end — and yet, it wrapped up too soon.

A breezy Gant Rugged striped shirt, slim chinos and suede chukkas from Astorflex, accessorized with my Bespoke Post Vibes Box headphones. Now, that’s perfect #MenswearMonday style if I’ve ever seen it.

Florsheim

As always seems to be the case with a busy weekend of live music, time flies by too quickly — that’s equally true whether I’m exploring Brooklyn and checking out a show at Brooklyn Steel or trekking down to Camden and Philadelphia. So, with quick-moving, office-friendly style in mind, I’m dressing to look sharp on this particular Monday (I’m planning on listening to The Killers all day via my Bespoke Post Vibes Box, of course). For work style to beat the heat, I threw on a casual, cool and comfortable GANT Rugger Indigo Oxford Striped Shirt. Your classic Oxford shirt, this is not — it’s better, thanks to the breezy fit and indigo dye. It’s a nice complement to my Johnston and Murphy Slim-Fit Garment-Washed Chinos. Just like my Taylor Stitch Slim Stone Chinos, they’re a nice change of pace from your everyday pair of khaki chinos, and they’ve proved a dressy-yet-versatile move alongside my classic Astorflex Greenflex Suede Chukkas. You might recognize ’em from a recent Style Pick of the Week entry, and I can’t recommend their blend of comfort, sustainability and style enough. When worn with my rugged (yet office-appropriate)  Timex Waterbury Chronograph, I’d wager that’s a winning combo head-to-toe. The next time you dress for the office in the heat, look for breezy shirting, slim chinos and versatile, stylish suede chukkas.

Nautica

To say the least, there’s definitely a lot to be done at my day job on Monday — and yet, I’ll be carried through today (and this week … and maybe the rest of the year?) by happy, joyous memories of the amazing show put on by The Killers. Once — even twice — simply isn’t enough when it comes to seeing this exceptional band. I definitely consider myself lucky to have seen both times, and I’ve got a third show in my sights when they come around. Of course, I’ll have to refresh myself when it comes to how to dress for a rock concert, and I’d advise you do the same. Again, never pass up the chance to see one of your favorite bands — even if it means hopping a train to Philly and a ferry to New Jersey. For now — thanks for reading, come back tomorrow for our next #OOTD entry, and we’ll see you down in front.

Stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Father’s Day Gifts, Fourlaps Apparel and The Killers 

Folks, Happy Friday and welcome again to the latest Friday Read here on The Style Guide. We’re capping off an incredibly busy week — as it were, we published our guide on what to buy for Father’s Day (and by we, I mean me!). And did you catch my post on Governors Ball 2017 this past weekend covering the #menswear I brought with me? It was a rollicking, rocking good time, without a doubt. And if you can believe it, the live music continues through the coming weekend — notably, I’m trekking to the fine cities of Philly and Camden (that’s New Jersey) for the Radio 104.5 Birthday Celebration! That’s right — the one-day mini-fest featuring the likes of Bleachers, Foster the People and … The Killers! You can look for a full recap in that regard on Monday — I’m wildly excited for a great weekend, and you can follow along with all the action on Instagram or Twitter. For now, dive into a quick recap of the week in men’s style.

  • OK, let’s talk about your everyday carry. Namely, what you might (or might not) be using to carry your laptop around. In that department, I wrote about the 25 best laptop bags for men over at GearMoose. Shop away!

  • So, if your dad needs a style upgrade for the gym this Father’s Day, I’d urge you to check out Fourlaps Apparel. It’s athletic apparel for the active dad who doesn’t want to look like a total slob. With bright, bold colors and blocked stripes, it’s a bit of retro style and a lot of sporty functionality for the dad who loves to hit the gym (or just hang out in a nice pair of shorts).

  • In the way of gifts for the dad who’s got everything, check out the stellar, jam-packed Swanson Box from UrbanStems for Father’s Day, positively packed with all the goodies Dad will love — that includes gourmet treats like barrel-aged chocolate and fine coffee. It’s a winner all the way through — right?
  • While we’re talking Father’s Day, I put together a handy roundup covering what to buy for the stylish dad — from a handsome watch to beautiful Allen Edmonds Chelsea boots, you can find plenty of fashionable picks.

OK, y’all — we’re keeping it short this week. Join us tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week, and enjoy Friday in the meantime!

-Beau